© National Literacy Trust 2020 T: 020 7587 1842 W: literacytrust.org.uk Twitter: @Literacy_Trust Facebook: nationalliteracytrust The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.

Job Interviews There are several different types of job interviews. What to

expect and how you need to prepare will vary. Here are some

examples.

Phone Instead of inviting candidates in for an interview, many

employers will host their first round of interviews over the

phone. It is a quick and cost-effective way to whittle down a list of candidates.

Tips: Whilst you won’t need to worry about your body language or dress

code, a telephone interview will test your social and telephone skills.

Video Video interviews have grown in popularity over the last few years. It is a quick and easy way

to connect employees from across the business to host an interview.

Tips: It is a good idea to prepare for a video interview as you would a face-to-

face interview. Dress for the occasion, do your research and remember to

think about your body language.

Panel These face-to-face interviews are most popular with larger companies and will involve a

group of interviewers taking turns to ask you their questions. This can feel intimidating so it

is vital that you prepare thoroughly in advance.

Tips: Treat all of the people on the panel with equal respect as you may not

know who is in charge and who has the final hiring decision. When answering

questions, focus on the person questioning you at that time.

One-to-one One-to-one interviews are slightly less formal than a panel interview but it is still important

to prepare well. A one-to-one interview means you are more than likely to be directly

questioned by the boss. To stand out, think of some strong questions to ask at the end of

the interview.

Tips: Try to build a friendly rapport with the interviewer, whilst keeping it

professional. Remember if they like you as a person then you are more likely

to be offered the job.

© National Literacy Trust 2020

Group A group interview will evolve multiple candidates being interviewed at the same time. It is

often used when employers are looking to hire more than one person for a role. This

interview style is popular for industries like food service, retail and hospitality.

Tips: Try and include everyone. Whilst your leadership skills are being

assessed, it is also important to show the interviewer that you can work well

in a team.

Top tips for nailing an interview Be prepared for the question, “What do you know

about us?” or “Why do you want to work for us?”

Research both the company and the wider industry.

You should be able to find out information about the

company’s history, mission and values, staff, culture

and recent successes on their website. If they have a

blog and social media presence, that can also be a

useful place to look.

Be on time. If your interview is taking place in an

unknown area, practise your route to guarantee you don’t get lost.

Try to stay calm and relaxed. If you need to take a moment to think about an

answer, then explain that to your interviewers rather than start your answer with

“um…”

Know your CV. Your interviewer will prepare their questions based on the

information you provided on your CV or application. Remember to be positive about

your skills and experiences.

Prepare. Research common job interview questions and practise your answers. This

will help you feel more relaxed going into the interview.

Practise. The more familiar interviewing feels to you, the more relaxed you will feel.

Meet with mentors, colleagues and friends for mock interviews to gain confidence in

answering routine interview questions.

Don’t panic. If you are stuck on how to answer a question, don’t be afraid to stop

and think before answering. Take a sip of water if you need to.

Plan your outfit. Make sure your clothes are smart but comfortable. It is always

better to be too smart than too casual. If you have purchased a new outfit, consider

wearing it before your interview to make sure you feel comfortable.

Follow up after the interview. This should be a short email within 24 hours of your

interview to thank the interviewer for their time and to say that you are looking

forward to hearing from them.

© National Literacy Trust 2020

The STAR method The STAR interview method is a structured way of answering a behavioural-based interview question by outlining the specific Situation, Task, Action and Result of the situation you are describing.

Behavioural-based questions about the way you have handled certain work situations show the interviewer how you might apply your skills and experience to a similar situation in the future.

S: the Situation Describe the event or situation you were in

Example: Whilst working as a retail assistant, we were faced with hundreds of

disgruntled customers as we headed towards the busy Christmas period.

T: the Task Explain the task you had to complete

Example: To ensure that all the customers left the shop feeling satisfied, I was

tasked with reducing the customer queuing time by 30%.

A: the Action Describe the specific actions you took to complete the task

Example: I effectively supported with the recruitment and training of three

new members of staff to support the team. I also instilled an extra queuing

line to combat overcrowding.

R: the Result Close with the result of your efforts

Example: As a result of my actions, we had the most successful Christmas to

date.

© National Literacy Trust 2020

Activity: Preparing for an interview To be successful in an interview, it is crucial that you prepare well. Reflecting on the tips and

the STAR method, complete this grid with what, how and when you think you should

prepare.

When the interview is

confirmed

A few days before the

interview

The night before the

interview

© National Literacy Trust 2020

Activity: Mock video interviews Using the below template answer the questions as if you are being interviewed for your

dream job.

Feeling brave? Call a friend and take it in turns to ask each other your questions.

1. Describe what you think you will be doing in this role and what interests you

about our organisation.

2. What can you bring to the role from your past experiences and what have been

your achievements?

3. Tell me about a time when you had an idea to do something in a different way

and think outside of the box.

4. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team.

© National Literacy Trust 2020

5. Describe a time when you have had to deal with a difficult situation and what

was the outcome?

6. Why do you want to work for us?

7. Describe a time when you showed leadership.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

9. Do you have any questions for us?